Home Oxygen Frequently Asked Questions

Home oxygen therapy is prescribed supplemental oxygen delivered through approved equipment for a person whose healthcare team has determined that additional oxygen is required. The prescription identifies how the oxygen should be delivered and used. Learn more about getting started with home oxygen.

Symptoms alone do not determine whether home oxygen is appropriate. A healthcare professional must assess the patient, review the medical condition, and complete any required testing before prescribing oxygen.

Yes. The oxygen setting, delivery method, and schedule must be prescribed by an authorized healthcare professional. Funding programs and insurers may also require supporting documentation.

Referral roles and forms differ by province, healthcare setting, and funding program. A physician, nurse practitioner, respiratory-care team, hospital, clinic, or other authorized source may be involved. Contact MedPro when the correct referral pathway is unclear.

Timing depends on clinical urgency, complete documentation, funding authorization, location, equipment availability, and delivery coordination. MedPro should be contacted as early as possible, but a fixed setup time cannot be guaranteed.

The approved equipment is delivered and arranged for the prescribed use. The patient and caregiver receive operating instructions, basic safety guidance, information about supplies, and the appropriate MedPro support contacts.

Yes, where practical. Caregiver participation can help the household understand equipment operation, support contacts, safety instructions, and what to do when equipment assistance is needed.

Home oxygen systems may include stationary concentrators, portable concentrators, compressed oxygen cylinders, regulators, conserving devices, tubing, cannulas, masks, batteries, and approved accessories. Explore home oxygen equipment.

Stationary equipment is intended primarily for use in the home. Portable equipment supports mobility and activities away from the primary system. The correct equipment must still match the prescription and service arrangement.

Continuous flow delivers oxygen continuously. Pulse dose delivers oxygen in response to detected breathing. These delivery methods are not automatically interchangeable, and the prescribed equipment must support the patient’s clinical needs.

The supplied system depends on the prescription, clinical need, funding authorization, available equipment, mobility requirements, and service arrangement. A preferred alternative or upgrade may require separate approval or private payment.

No, not unless a healthcare professional has provided specific instructions. Contact the healthcare team when the prescribed setting, duration, or oxygen needs may need review.

A pulse-oximeter reading should not be used to independently change prescribed oxygen. Only follow an adjustment plan when the healthcare team has provided specific instructions for monitoring and changing the setting.

Alarm meanings vary by model. Check the supplied instructions and confirm that power, tubing, airflow, batteries, and connections are arranged as demonstrated. Contact MedPro for an unfamiliar or persistent alarm.

Contact MedPro before adding, cutting, joining, or changing tubing. Tubing length and arrangement can affect the prescribed setup, movement, connections, and equipment performance.

Oxygen may sometimes be connected to another prescribed respiratory device, but the combination must be specifically prescribed and configured. Do not create or change the connection independently.

Follow the schedule in the prescription. Some patients use oxygen continuously, while others use it during sleep, activity, recovery, or specific periods. The healthcare team determines the required schedule.

Yes, when nighttime oxygen is prescribed. Prepare the equipment and tubing before bed, keep the concentrator in an approved ventilated location, and follow the instructions for the prescribed setup.

Appropriate tubing or portable equipment may support movement around the home. Keep walkways clear, learn the tubing reach, avoid tangles, and use adequate lighting. Review daily-life guidance.

Follow the instructions provided for the prescribed equipment and bathroom setup. Keep electrical equipment away from water and ask MedPro or the healthcare team how oxygen should be managed during personal care.

Dryness, pressure, or irritation can occur for some patients. Ask about approved comfort measures and interface adjustments. Do not use unapproved petroleum-based or oil-based products around oxygen.

Humidification should only be used when it is appropriate for the supplied equipment and instructions. Use the specified bottle, water type, cleaning method, and fill level.

Oxygen must be kept away from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and cooking hazards. The correct arrangement depends on the equipment and household setup. Review the safety instructions before cooking.

Portable equipment may support everyday outings when it matches the prescription and has adequate oxygen or battery capacity. Plan how long you will be away and keep support information accessible.

Activity should follow the healthcare team’s recommendations. Use oxygen as prescribed during activity and do not independently change the setting. Ask whether pulmonary rehabilitation or another supervised program is appropriate.

Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes other materials ignite more easily and burn more intensely. Keep oxygen away from smoking, vaping, flames, sparks, heat, oils, aerosols, and flammable products.

No. Smoking and vaping must be kept completely away from oxygen use and storage areas. This household rule applies to patients, caregivers, visitors, and anyone entering the home.

Oxygen must remain away from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and high-heat appliances. Follow the equipment-specific separation instructions and the household safety plan.

Oil, grease, and petroleum-based products should not be used on oxygen equipment or near oxygen connections. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional which skin or nasal products are appropriate.

Place it in a dry, well-ventilated area with clear air inlets and outlets. Keep it away from heat, smoking, curtains, bedding, and obstructed spaces. Follow the manufacturer-specified clearance.

Secure cylinders from tipping in an approved holder, stand, cart, or storage arrangement. Keep them dry, ventilated, away from heat and flames, and out of exits or busy walkways.

Follow the patient-specific backup plan and use only approved backup equipment or power accessories. Contact MedPro for equipment support. Call 911 during an immediate medical emergency.

Follow the supplied backup instructions, move away from any immediate hazard, and do not attempt repairs. Contact MedPro for equipment support and call 911 during an immediate medical emergency.

Follow the guidance of the local fire department, provincial program, or healthcare team. Requirements and recommended fire-safety services can differ by community.

Call 911 for a fire, active smoke or burning, an immediate medical emergency, or any situation where the household cannot remain safely in the home. Review home oxygen safety.

Cleaning schedules differ by interface and equipment. Follow the MedPro and manufacturer instructions supplied for the cannula or mask, and clean more often when specifically directed.

Replace it according to the supplied schedule and sooner when it becomes hard, cracked, discoloured, visibly soiled, uncomfortable, damaged, or contaminated after illness when replacement is recommended.

Do not soak or wash long oxygen tubing unless the supplied instructions specifically permit it. Water should not remain inside the tubing, and connections should be dry before use.

Use only the sterile or distilled water specified for the prescribed setup. Do not substitute another liquid, exceed the fill line, or continuously top up old water unless instructed.

Clean only approved exterior surfaces and patient-serviceable parts. Keep liquid out of vents, controls, and connections. Do not open the housing or perform internal cleaning.

Filter requirements vary by model. Some filters are washable, some are replaceable, and some are not patient-serviceable. Follow the exact instructions for the supplied concentrator.

No. Do not open, modify, lubricate, dismantle, or attempt to repair oxygen equipment, regulators, cylinders, batteries, or conserving devices.

Contact the assigned MedPro clinic or oxygen-support contact before the final usable supply is needed. Review oxygen equipment care and maintenance.

Travel may be possible, but the prescription, equipment, transportation, power, oxygen supply, destination support, and carrier rules must be reviewed in advance.

Airline requirements vary. Confirm the exact portable concentrator, medical forms, battery capacity, check-in process, seating restrictions, and oxygen-use rules with every operating carrier before booking.

Airlines commonly place strict restrictions on personal oxygen cylinders. Do not assume they are accepted. Confirm the current policy for the operating carrier, route, and destination.

Battery planning must cover check-in, boarding, the full journey, connections, ground transportation, possible delays, and time before reliable charging. Follow each carrier’s current requirement.

Yes, when the equipment is appropriate and transported according to its instructions. Secure equipment, maintain ventilation, keep oxygen away from smoking and heat, and use only approved vehicle power accessories.

Rules differ by operator. Confirm equipment acceptance, cylinder limits, power access, documentation, accessibility, and storage arrangements before booking.

Destination oxygen or equipment may be available in some locations, but it is subject to notice, availability, cost, local service arrangements, and confirmation before departure.

Travel equipment, extra batteries, temporary rentals, destination oxygen, and delivery may require separate approval or private payment. Confirm coverage before booking.

Contact MedPro before booking overnight, long-distance, international, air, rail, bus, cruise, or ferry travel. Review travelling with oxygen.

Provincial programs may fund eligible applicants, but medical, residency, documentation, provider, reassessment, and cost-sharing requirements differ by province and individual circumstances.

No. A prescription confirms clinical need. The funding program, insurer, or other payer separately decides whether its eligibility and coverage requirements are met.

MedPro serves patients through British Columbia regional home oxygen programs, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program home oxygen benefit, private insurance, and other approved payer arrangements.

Depending on the authorization, a benefit may include oxygen, approved equipment, supplies, delivery, setup, maintenance, replacement support, and patient education.

Some policies may cover eligible home oxygen costs, but authorization, maximums, exclusions, eligible providers, public-program coordination, and claim procedures differ.

Billing arrangements depend on the insurer, benefit, authorization, and MedPro workflow. Request written confirmation of direct billing or reimbursement before service begins.

Optional equipment, portable systems, added features, or upgrades may require separate approval or private payment when they are not part of the authorized benefit.

Confirm the reason, check for missing information, ask whether updated documentation is appropriate, review another payer or insurance, request a private estimate, and ask about any review or appeal process.

Travel equipment, additional batteries, temporary oxygen, destination arrangements, and international service may not be included in standard home oxygen coverage. Review funding and coverage.

Services may include equipment coordination, delivery, setup, patient and caregiver education, oxygen-supply coordination, equipment assistance, replacement coordination, and ongoing support.

Review the supplied equipment instructions and contact the assigned MedPro oxygen-support number for an unfamiliar or persistent alarm. Call 911 during an immediate medical emergency.

Use the MedPro clinic or delivery contact assigned to the patient’s service arrangement. Provide updated address, access, and supply information before the required delivery.

Report supply concerns before the remaining supply becomes urgent. Contact the assigned MedPro delivery or oxygen-support contact and follow the backup instructions provided.

No. Prescription changes must come from an authorized healthcare professional. MedPro can coordinate equipment after receiving the updated prescription and authorization information.

Contact MedPro before moving. The delivery area, clinic, funding authorization, service address, equipment arrangement, and support contacts may need to be updated.

Provincial funding and provider arrangements do not automatically transfer. Contact MedPro, the healthcare team, and the applicable programs in both provinces before the move.

Yes. Caregiver participation can be included in equipment education and support where appropriate so the household understands operation, safety, supplies, and support contacts.

Contact the assigned MedPro clinic or service contact and request supplies before the remaining items run out.

No. MedPro provides equipment and service support. Call 911 for an immediate medical emergency. Review MedPro home oxygen services and support.